Lesson Plan
Academy of American Poets

Teach This Poem: "A New National Anthem" by Ada Limón

For Teachers 3rd - 12th Standards
Ada Limon's poem, "A New National Anthem," offers young scholars an opportunity to reflect on the significance of the US national anthem and the extent to which Key's vision applies to all Americans. After watching a video of Whitney...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Technology Lesson Plan - A Country's National Anthem

For Teachers 6th - 9th
There are several important components in this how to build a PowerPoint presentation. Luckily there are some explicit instructions on how to put these components into the PowerPoint. This is a short, 3 slide, assignment on finding a...
Handout
ProCon

National Anthem Protests

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the National Anthem in 2016 as a form of protest. Were his actions appropriate? Using the provided website, pupils attempt to decide for themselves by reading the main...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"The Star-Spangled Banner"

For Teachers K - 5th
Young scholars perform a song using correct posture, correct rhythms, and accurate pitches. They read musical notation and lyrics of various patriotic tunes, analyze the purpose and meaning of patriotic songs, discuss the social and...
Lesson Plan
Center for History Education

The Star-Spangled Banner: Fact or Fiction?

For Teachers 3rd - 8th Standards
Is the Star-Spangled Banner an actual account of a gripping battle, or is it just a catchy tune? Young scholars compare eyewitness descriptions of the War of 1812 battle that inspired "The Star-Spangled Banner." They also examine images...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oh, Say, Can You See What the Star-Spangled Banner Means?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students research the historical inspiration for the lyrics of the "The Star Spangled Banner". They explore websites, read articles and analyze poetry in an examination of America's patriotic symbols and history.
PPT
Curated OER

The War of 1812

For Teachers 8th - 12th
A good addition to a unit on the War of 1812, this slideshow details causes, specific battles, political contexts, and several campaigns of the war. Maps and pictures with broad topics allow teachers to bring their own discussion topics...
Lesson Plan
English Enhanced Scope and Sequence

Differentiate between Formal and Informal Language

For Teachers 7th - 8th Standards
The Pledge of Allegiance, the Gettysburg Address, the National Anthem, and the Preamble to the Constitution all get close attention in an exercise that asks learners to rewrite these formally-worded documents into informal language....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Star-Spangled Banner

For Teachers 4th - 6th Standards
Get your kids moving as they learn about the history of the United States National Anthem. Scholars examine the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key, and the meaning behind The Star Spangled Banner as they listen to an 18-minute...
Worksheet
Curated OER

The National Anthem

For Students 5th - 6th
In this National Anthem worksheet, students read the lyrics to the National Anthem and describe them in their own words. They draw a picture to match their explanation. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our Anthem

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students engage in a lesson that is concerned with the concept national anthems and how they are used to boosted the moral of a nation. The lesson contains background information for the teacher to use. Then they create a new anthem for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

General Music: Star Spangled Banner

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
"The Star Spangled Banner" became our country's national anthem, but why? Second and third grade musicians read about the song, analyze the lyrics, and discuss patriotism. They then complete a related word search.
PPT
Curated OER

The Star Spangled Banner: History and Lyrics

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In this U.S. government and civics PowerPoint, a brief history of the origin of "The Star Spangled Banner" is given, followed by the lyrics for the 4 verses of the song. Several illustrations of the American flag and a fire cracker at...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

NATIONAL SYMBOLS

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders examine American national symbols such as the Bald Eagle, Liberty Bell, American Flag, National Anthem, and what these symbols mean to the nation. Learn the history of the symbols, their use, and meaning.
Lesson Plan
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Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary

Reading the Work of B. Franklin, Printer

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Placing Ben Franklin’s ideas about a free press next to those embodied in the First Amendment sheds light on both. Learners interpret and compare two primary sources and then examine them in the light of a contemporary survey about...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Francis Scott Key

For Teachers 4th - 6th
In this reading comprehension worksheet, students enjoy a biography of Francis Scott Key, the author of the National Anthem. The students then answer 20 questions, some of which call on them to recall the words to the song.
Worksheet
Curated OER

4th Grade Social Studies

For Teachers 4th
In this social studies worksheet, 4th graders answer multiple choice questions about the Bill of Rights, Congress, the National Anthem, and more. Students complete 25 multiple choice questions.
Lesson Plan
Anti-Defamation League

Understanding and Analyzing “The U.S. of Us” by Richard Blanco

For Teachers 8th - 12th Standards
Current immigration issues and the rhetoric surrounding the controversies come into focus with a lesson that uses Richard Blanco's anthem, "The U.S. of Us," written after the August 2019 attack in El Paso, Texas, to open a discussion of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Poetry and Our National Anthem

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students express the meaning of the Star-Spangled Banner. In this American history lesson, students read through the national anthem and complete an activities from a list of choices. Some choices include: writing the anthem in your own...
Activity
National Constitution Center

Born in the U.S.A: Music as Political Protest

For Students 10th - 12th Standards
Though often used in shows of patriotism, Bruce Springsteen's 1985 song "Born in the U.S.A." is critical of America's role in the Vietnam war and its treatment of American veterans. High schoolers analyze the song's lyrics in an activity...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to American Literature

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils discuss the topic of freedom and what the National Anthem means to them and to our country. They create a new and original verse for the National Anthem.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The National Anthem Project: Notating "The Star-Spangled Banner" (Middle Level Strings).

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Young scholars hear a melody, play in their instruments and write it down on manuscript paper. They correct their melody and play from their own manuscript paper. Students continue this procedure at least once a week.
Worksheet
Curated OER

National Anthems of Selected Countries

For Students 5th - 6th
In these national anthems worksheets, students read the general information and the anthems for the countries of the United States, Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, Zambia, Great Britain, Chile, Ethiopia, Korea, New Zealand, Greece, Taiwan,...
Lesson Plan
Friends of Fort McHenry

Sensory “Star Spangled Banner”

For Teachers 4th - 8th Standards
Music can help us to access memories and events in a meaningful way, and Francis Scott Key used specific words to convey what he had seen and felt when writing what would become America's national anthem. Help your class connect to...